SLT Mallorca Day One: Katie Zaferes dominates Super League Triathlon. Again.

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Can anyone stop Katie Zaferes in Super League Triathlon?

The US women secure Triple Mix podium sweep in Mallorca

Another week, another country and another Super League Triathlon victory for Katie Zaferes (USA). Porto Cristo in Mallorca was the venue for Day One’s Triple Mix, three triathlon events held in a different order with a 10 minute break. Once again, there was little doubt who is the form athlete in this format of racing.

(CLICK HERE FOR THE MEN’S TRIPLE MIX REPORT)

Super League Mallorca, Saturday 3rd November 2018
Day One – Triple Mix

Race One – Swim / Bike / Run
300m / 4km / 2km

The Aussie duo of Emma Jeffcoat and Danielle De Francesco lead out the opening swim with series leader, Katie Zaferes (USA), 11 seconds back in ninth. Some interesting tactics in the water too, athletes taking a variety of lines back into the beach. The men will have certainly taken notice for their races.

First off the bike, Spivey earned the ‘short chute’ advantage and that time saving was enough for her to take Race One.

Zaferes closed back towards Spivey steadily after that short chute, limiting her loss to just two seconds without digging too deep. With Kasper and Cook losing more than 30 seconds, the series leader made second place a ‘win’ for her.

1st – Taylor Spivey (USA) – 20:13
2nd – Katie Zaferes (USA) – 20:15
3rd – Rachel Klamer (NED) – 20:22
4th -Joanna Brown (CAN) – 20:30
5th – Yuko Takahashi (JPN) – 20:30
6th – Kirsten Kasper (USA) – 20:46
7th – Summer Cook (USA) – 20:47
8th – Jodie Stimpson (GBR) – 20:50

(11 athletes finished inside the 90 seconds cut-off and progress to Race Two, six eliminated).

Race Two – Run / Bike / Swim
2km / 4km / 300m

Kirsten Kasper was first into T1 ofter the opening run, and she would mount the bike with Katie Zaferes and Joanne Brown with Cook losing time due to a very slow (static) bike mount.

Kasper took the ‘short chute’ advantage early in the bike, but Zaferes and Brown were able to close that advantage before they arrived at T2 – and then actually drop Kasper, who was finding the constant hills on the bike course tough. First into T2 ahead of the closing swim leg, the series leader Zaferes was looking in control (again!), and would take the short chute advantage to further boost her lead with just a 300m swim remaining.

Spivey was able to close a few seconds on the swim – but the Queen of Super League, Kaitie Zaferes, would take the win and start the final leg with an advantage of eight seconds over Taylor. Once again, the odds-on favourite to add to her impressive Super League Triathlon season.

1st – Katie Zaferes (USA) – 20:18
2nd – Taylor Spivey (USA) – 20:27
3rd – Kirsten Kasper (USA) – 20:34
4th – Rachel Kalmer (NED) – 20:47
5th – Jodie Stimpson (GBR) – 20:47
6th – Yuko Tahahashi (JPN) – 20:48
7th – Joanna Brown (CAN) – 20:54
8th – Emma Jeffcoat (AUS) – 21:30
9th – Summer Cook (USA) – 21:31
10th – Charlotte McShane (AUS) – 21:37
11th – Daniella De Francesco (AUS) – 21:42

(Seven athletes qualify for the final race with a net deficit of less than 90 seconds)

Race Three – Bike / Swim / Run
(Pursuit Start – 4km / 300m / 2km) – OVERALL TRIPLE MIX RESULTS

https://www.facebook.com/SuperLeagueTri/videos/2025771867713673/

With a head start earned from the first two legs and collecting short chute advantages along the way, there was never any danger of Katie Zaferes not taking the win in the final Triple Mix leg.

Katie finished the bike leg 17 seconds clear of Spivey, ended the swim with a 27 seconds advantage and could cruise over the final 2km to take the win.

“It’s definitely not easy”, Zaferes said (again) after the race… but you have to say, she must be a pretty good actress because Katie Zaferes is making Super League Triathlon look simple. Tactically smart, strong across the board and technically efficient, she once again lead home a Team U.S.A. clean sweep in today’s Triple Mix.

1st – Katie Zaferes (USA) – 21:05
2nd – Taylor Spivey (USA) – 21:47
3rd – Kirsten Kasper (USA) – 22:08
4th – Rachel Klamer (NED) – 22:17
5th – Yuko Takahashi (JPN) – 22:20

(Only five athletes finished, Joanna Brown (CAN) and Jodie Stimpson eliminated (GBR) due to the 90 seconds rule).

John Levison

Written by

John Levison

TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in the sport for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages. While his passion is triathlon, you'll also find him watching Boxing, Darts or at the theatre enjoying a good musical...

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